4-Day Steigenberger MS Minerva Nile Cruise Tour

You will enjoy breakfast on the banks of the Nile, then get ready to meet your private tour guide to begin your next tour together. You will visit the famous Temple of Kom Ombo, which is located on a high hill overlooking the eastern bank of the Nile. The temple was founded during the reign of Ptolemy VI, but construction and engravings continued well into the reign of Ptolemy XIII. The Temple of Kom Ombo is distinguished by its beautiful and intricate column capitals and the magnificent and dazzling views that adorn its walls. A calendar lists holidays and other important religious activities for the Egyptians.

You will visit the Temple of Edfu, which still preserves all of its stunning architectural and decorative elements intact. It remained buried under sand for several years until the famous French archaeologist Auguste Mariette cleaned it and restored some parts in 1860. This dazzling temple, dedicated to the god Horus, consists of a massive pylon with two towering towers, fronted by two granite statues of Horus in the form of a falcon. The pylon's facade is decorated with scenes of King Ptolemy XII triumphing over his enemies, as well as other scenes depicting him with Egyptian deities.

You will be taken back to your cruise to enjoy a delightful entertainment show while you dine.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You'll enjoy the most delicious breakfast of your life on board the cruise, then begin your tour to explore Luxor's most important temples and the history of the great pharaohs who built them. You'll be accompanied by your professional tour guide to visit the Valley of the Kings, where the powerful kings of the New Kingdom were buried beneath the top of a pyramid-shaped rock cliff that surrounds the famous valley. The choice of the valley to carve these precious royal tombs was not a coincidence. They chose this location after conducting extensive research and studies. The pyramid was a symbol of resurrection and eternal life, and the pyramidal shape was considered a sign of divine power. This area, and the summit itself, were under the control of the goddess Hathor, "Lady of the West."

The isolated nature of this valley was another reason for choosing it as the final resting place for the great kings. Tombs were robbed in ancient times—as was the case with the pyramids of the Old and Middle Kingdoms—and to avoid this fate, they chose hidden underground tombs in a secluded desert valley. The first powerful New Kingdom ruler confirmed to have been buried in the Valley of the Kings was Thutmosis I, the third king of the Eighteenth Dynasty. According to Ini, the chief official who excavated his tomb, "I supervised the excavation of the king's tomb in private so that no one would see or hear about it."

You will also visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which gained great religious significance as it was dedicated to the god Amun and served as a major center for worship and sacrifice, where rituals were performed to appease the gods and seek their blessings. In addition, the reliefs that adorn the temple walls provide valuable historical and cultural information about the reign of Queen Hatshepsut and the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt. The intricate carvings and paintings on the walls depict trade journeys and contacts with foreign lands, confirming the flourishing commercial activity and diplomatic relations during this period.

You will see the two Colossi of Memnon, which were dedicated to King Amenhotep III. Their construction was overseen by the famous and skilled architect Amenhotep, son of Hapu. In front of them stood an ancient and massive funerary temple of King Amenhotep III. Nothing remains of this temple except the two statues, each approximately 21.90 meters tall. After this fantastic tour, we will return you to the cruise to enjoy dinner while the cruise sails to its next destination.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is the last day of your enjoyable vacation on this wonderful cruise. Your private tour guide will meet you today to begin your exciting tour of two of Cairo's most important landmarks. You will visit the Karnak Temple, which has been of great importance from ancient times to the present day. In addition to its importance as a religious site, it was also an administrative center and treasury for the state. It was a palace for the pharaohs of the New Kingdom, and today, it is the largest temple ever built in the world. Karnak's construction continued through several eras, including the New Kingdom and the reigns of the pharaohs Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, and Ramses II. However, later civilizations added their distinctive touches to it, and construction of the temple continued through the famous Greco-Roman era, the Ptolemaic era, and the early Christian era.

You will also visit the Luxor Temple, one of the largest and most famous ancient temples in Egypt. The Pharaonic Temple of Luxor encompasses three diverse civilizations: the Pharaonic, Islamic, and Coptic. It has witnessed numerous events spanning several different eras throughout history. The ancient Egyptians called this temple "Ipet Reset," meaning "southern sanctuary," due to its location within ancient Thebes (modern-day Luxor).

At the end of the tour, we will transfer you to any hotel in Luxor or the train station or airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast